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Player's Career Is Up To Judge

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By TODD LESKANIC, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

DADE CITY - Carolina Speed coach Ramon Robinson wants to give former NFL running back Troy Hambrick one more shot at gridiron glory.

The question: Will the federal court system allow it?

The Speed, one of 16 teams in the American Indoor Football Association, signed Hambrick to a one-year contract last month. The signing came just weeks after a federal grand jury indicted Hambrick on drug charges.

Hambrick, now free on $100,000 bail, filed a motion last week asking that he be allowed to live in Kannapolis, N.C., so he can play for the Speed during the upcoming AIFA season. According to the motion, he would return to his home in Lacoochee at season's end.
Federal prosecutors are contesting the motion, arguing that it would hinder their ability to move the case and that Hambrick would be a flight risk. A court spokesman said he wasn't sure when a judge would rule on the motion or whether there would be a hearing on it.

Robinson, the Speed's first-year coach, said the pending charges had no bearing on his decision to offer Hambrick the contract. He did say that he wasn't sure whether Hambrick would be in North Carolina for the team's first practice Feb. 23, or whether he ever would join the Speed.

Hambrick's desire to play football, however, impressed him enough to make the offer.

"It's drug-related, but that happens," Robinson said. "That's the choices you make and what you've got to live with. But look at what he'll be making now and look at what he used to make in the NFL. For a man to do that and still say he wants to play, that's showing a lot."

Hambrick, 31, of Lacoochee, couldn't be reached for comment.

He has been looking to catch on with a team since 2004, the last of the five seasons he spent in the NFL. Hambrick signed with the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League in November but was released after his Dec. 6 indictment.

He turned himself in Dec. 14 and posted bail the same day.

According to the indictment, Hambrick sold 5 grams or more of crack cocaine on Sept. 7, and distributed 50 grams or more of crack on Sept. 14 and Sept. 27. The latter two charges carry a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, according to court documents.

Hambrick, once a star at Pasco High, had a few other factors in his favor besides a simple desire to play, Robinson said.

One is his name and NFL resume. The AIFA, which plays with almost the same rules as the Arena Football League, favors older players who have been in the NFL, Robinson said. Hambrick was a starter for the Dallas Cowboys and ran for nearly 1,000 yards in 2003 and rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his career.

Also in Hambrick's favor was the fact that Robinson knew him from their college years.

Hambrick was playing at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., while Robinson played at nearby Benedict College.

"He didn't go through a tryout," Robinson said. "I'm signing him strictly off his past history and his athletic ability. I know what he's capable of."

Hambrick, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, finished his collegiate career at Savannah State. He signed with Dallas as a free agent in 2000 and remained with the Cowboys until 2003. Hambrick played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2004, but was later released and never signed on with another team.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (352) 521-3156 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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